Crain, Doby set for January trial; motion rulings awaited

A former third-grade teacher and a retired college professor charged in a McLoud child pornography case had court dates Wednesday, with jury trial dates confirmed for January even though rulings are still awaited on motions, including a change of venue request.

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By Kim Morava

The Shawnee News-Star

By Kim Morava

Posted Dec. 12, 2012 at 9:44 PM
Updated Dec 12, 2012 at 9:46 PM

By Kim Morava

Posted Dec. 12, 2012 at 9:44 PM
Updated Dec 12, 2012 at 9:46 PM

A former third-grade teacher and a retired college professor charged in a McLoud child pornography case had court dates Wednesday, with jury trial dates confirmed for January even though rulings are still awaited on motions, including a change of venue request.

The cases of Kimberly Ann Crain, 49, Shawnee, and Gary J. Doby, 66, of Bloomsburg, Pa., were before Pottawatomie County District Judge John Canavan, who set the trial dates for Jan. 14.

Court records show all motions filed in November, including a request by Crain’s attorney for a change of venue, had to have responses filed by Wednesday’s hearing; Judge Canavan could rule on those motions as early as next week.

Crain’s attorney, Cregg Webb, filed a motion to move the trial to another county because of the publicity the case has received. Attorney Robert Butler, who also has filed several motions in his case, represents Doby.

Crain taught third grade at McLoud Elementary School until she resigned amid an ongoing investigation on Nov. 28, 2011.

Prosecutors allege Crain, while working as an elementary school teacher, took photos of as many as 14 young girls while they were changing clothes, either while in her classroom at the school and some at her home. She then is accused of sharing those images of her students with Doby.

Both defendants face 18 counts of sexual exploitation of a child under age 12, one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation and one count of lewd molestation. Crain also faces 11 counts of possession of juvenile pornography.

Before Doby moved to Pennsylvania years ago, he was a professor at Oklahoma Baptist University. Court records show Crain met Doby when he was a professor there from 1985 to 1987, which was the same time Crain was a student studying toward her education degree.

Both Crain and Doby have previously pleaded not guilty and remain jailed while awaiting trial.